UAE concerned over violation of Palestinians’ human rights

Geneva, June 19 (IANS) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed its concern over the human rights situation in the Palestinian territory and called on the international community to pressure Israel to stop aggressive measures aimed at the Palestinian people, WAM news agency reported Thursday. “The occupied Palestinian territories are inhabited by over 3.7 million people, who suffer a series of violations in their movement, health, education, work and other basic rights,” Obaid Salem Al Zaabi, UAE’s permanent representative to the UN office in Geneva, told the eighth session of the UN Human Rights Council that concluded here Wednesday.

The occupying authorities “condone their crimes against unarmed Palestinian people”, the diplomat told the gathering, referring to Israel’s disregard towards the calls by the international community to stop offensives against Palestinians.

Al Zaabi also underlined his country’s support to the Arab group and Organisation of Islamic Conference statements on the humanitarian rights of the Palestinian people.

He thanked John Dogard, former human rights rapporteur in the Palestinian territories, who reported to the international community that the Palestinian people underwent humanitarian sufferings despite pressures not to do so.

The diplomat noted that about 1.5 million Palestinian people at Gaza strip underwent siege for almost a year in which they suffered direct military threats.

Al Zaabi also said that the Palestinian authorities are seriously grappling to restore security in the territories under their jurisdiction in order to execute health, water, road and environmental protection projects.

The international community should take serious note of the situation and force Israel to immediately cease its aggressive measures on the Palestinian people, he underlined.

He added that the Palestinians are awaiting implementation of reformation and development plans proposed at international conferences in Paris and Annapolis.

Meanwhile, a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine’s Hamas movement has come into effect from 6 a.m. Thursday. The deal was brokered by Egypt after months of serious but indirect talks with both sides.